10/14/2013 |
Dodgers unlikely to call on co-aces on short restAfter the Dodgers' 3-0 win in Game 3 of the National League Championship Series on Monday night, manager Don Mattingly said Ricky Nolasco is the Game 4 starting pitcher "as of right now," and this time he apparently means it.

10/14/2013 |
Cardinals not letting complacency creep inThe Cardinals arrived in Los Angeles with ideal positioning. Not only did they enter Monday's Game 3 with a handle on a 2-0 lead in the National League Championship Series, but they had taken two games started by Zack Greinke and Clayton Kershaw. There is, however, no palpable sense of complacency. Those who were with the Cards in 2012 remember well the sting of losing a 3-1 lead in the NLCS against the Giants.

10/14/2013 |
Braves eye market, in-house fixes to improveBraves GM Frank Wren's offseason objective is not nearly as clear as it was a year ago. While it would be beneficial to add an ace, the challenge of landing one will prove even greater given that this year's free-agent crop will not include one.

10/14/2013 |
Zito takes out ad thanking Giants fansBarry Zito gave one more hat tip to Giants fans on Monday, taking out a full-page ad in the San Francisco Chronicle to thank fans for their support during his seven-year tenure with the Giants.

10/14/2013 |
Cardinals content with low-scoring NLCSGames 1 and 2 of the National League Championship Series were historically bereft of offense, and the question before Game 3 was: Can this possibly continue? Lance Lynn, who will pitch Game 4, sure hoped so.

10/14/2013 |
Ethier back in starting lineup for Game 3Ultimately, Dodgers outfielder Andre Ethier said the decision to return to the lineup for Game 3 of the National League Championship Series rested between him and manager Don Mattingly. When the Dodgers released their official Game 3 lineup on Monday, Ethier was batting fifth and playing center field.

10/14/2013 |
Machado has surgery, could miss six monthsManny Machado will miss Spring Training and almost certainly be delayed to start the 2014 regular season as the Orioles third baseman recovers following Monday's surgery on his left knee.

10/14/2013 |
Farrell considering starting Gomes in Game 3Citing "intangibles," Red Sox manager John Farrell is considering looking past the numbers to start Jonny Gomes in left field for Tuesday's Game 3 of the American League Championship Series.

10/14/2013 |
Long arm of the law: Fenway slam forever links trioThe copper, the bopper and the would-be stopper. The extraordinary image of a Boston police officer celebrating David Ortiz's game-tying grand slam as Torii Hunter toppled over the wall at Fenway Park will occupy a prominent spot in baseball history.

10/14/2013 |
Verlander is the antidote for Boston's momentumThis is the game that Justin Verlander was born to pitch, because he's the definition of a No. 1 starter. He wants to be out there when the stakes are the highest and the spotlight the brightest. Even better, there's no one that his teammates would rather have on the mound.

10/14/2013 |
Driven by club's success, Votto eyes return to old formWhen it came to not making outs in 2013, Joey Votto was once again one of the best in baseball. His .435 on-base percentage led the National League and was second in the Majors behind the Tigers' Miguel Cabrera.

10/14/2013 |
Renteria interviews to be Cubs skipperCubs president of baseball operations Theo Epstein and general manager Jed Hoyer were in California on Monday interviewing Padres bench coach Rick Renteria for Chicago's managerial opening. The Cubs also plan to interview Rays bench coach Dave Martinez -- a former Cubs player -- later this week.

10/14/2013 |
Pedroia turning it on in pursuit of another titleSecond baseman Dustin Pedroia is at it again this October, in case you haven't noticed. He's doing what he always does -- impacting games, contributing in any way he can, and attempting to help will the Red Sox toward another World Series championship.

10/14/2013 |
Dodgers of '77 recall high-five-fueled run to SeriesThis is where joyous social history of an enduring style and fashion was made in 1977, inside Dodger Stadium. The high-five was born, courtesy of colorful Dodgers outfielder Glenn Burke and his compadre, Dusty Baker.

10/14/2013 |
Future comes quick, remains bright for ZuninoWhen the Mariners selected Mike Zunino with the third pick in the 2012 Draft, the Florida standout was targeted as the catcher of the future. But what wasn't expected was that the future would come quite so quickly, with Zunino elevated to the Majors after just 96 games in the Minors.

10/14/2013 |
Big Papi walking tall among October legendsWith all due respect to the two men who have individual statues dedicated to them outside of Fenway Park -- the late Ted Williams and Carl Yastrzemski -- no player in the rich history of the club has had more big hits in October than David Ortiz.

10/14/2013 |
Tigers' rotation a result of savvy movesJim Leyland has seen a lot in his storied managerial career, but in Justin Verlander, Max Scherzer, Anibal Sanchez and Doug Fister, he has what he considers the best rotation he's ever had.

10/14/2013 |
Prospect Wheeler boasts big league potentialSelected in the first round of the 2009 First-Year Player Draft by the Rockies, outfield prospect Tim Wheeler has an ability to hit for average with moderate foot speed and an ability to play efficient enough defense at the big league level.

10/14/2013 |
Free-agent qualifying offers set at $14.1 millionMajor League Baseball and the MLB Players Association have determined that qualifying offers to eligible free agents will be $14.1 million, which is $800,000 more than they were a year ago.

10/14/2013 |
Davis excited to experience free agency for first timeFor the first time in his career, Rajai Davis has the ability to choose his own fate. Toronto's veteran center fielder is set to hit free agency shortly after the World Series comes to an end, and while it's a process that can be stressful, Davis seems to be relishing the opportunity.